Electron discharge device



April 16, 1935. A. MAVROGENIS I l5993,1959

' ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE iled Oct. 22, 192;?

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ga i Patented Apr. 16, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,998,199 ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE Aristote Mavrogenis, Milwaukee, Wis. inseam October 22, 1927, Serial No. 227,945

15 Claims.

This invention relates to electron discharge devices and is particularly directed to an electron discharge device in which'all of the parts may be energized from commercial alternating current lines.

Further objects are to provide a device of this nature which may be used in radio Work as a detector or amplifier Without the necessity of using either plate, or filament, or grid bias batteries, and in which hum or disturbance is eliminated. I

A further object is to, provide a basaior an electron discharge device, such basing having a plurality of terminals and having a rectifier which is connected to at least one of the terminals and Which is adapted to supply the electron discharge device.

Another object is to provide, in a unitary structure, an electron discharge device and a base carrying a rectifier adapted to supply this electron discharge device from an alternating current source. a

A further object is to provide, in combination, an electron discharge device having a vessel enclosing signal responsive means and having a base enclosing a rectifier, circuit connections for heating the cathode of this signal responsive means; and an electrical circuit which includes smoothing means, and which connects the cathode to the anode or to thegrid or to both these electrodes of this signal responsive means, whereby the anode or the grid or both such electrodes can be supplied from alternating current supply means, or an alternating current source, without any objectionable alternating current hum, through this rectifier and thesesmoothing means.

Further objects are to provide means, including a novel form of rectifier such as an electronic rectifier, for supplying operating rectified current to one or more electrodes of an electron discharge device, such as a detector, radio frequency amp1iher or audio frequency amplifier, and which, although supplied ironi an alternating current source, nevertheless does not produce an objectionable hum or disturbance due to the alternating voltage or current supplied from such source.

Another object is to provide circuit connections for an electron discharge device, such as a detector, radio frequency amplifier or audio ire-- quency amplifier; and for current converting means including a novel form of rectifier of the general character hereinafter outlined, which, circuit connections, permit .theuse of the alternating current for supplying one or more elements of this electron discharge device without any objectionable hum due to the alternating current, from an alternating current source or alternating current supply means through this rectifier.

Specifically, this invention has for its objects the provision of a novel form of electron discharge device in which an electronic rectifier, and an audion are employed within the same envelope with the several elements .mounted within the same or separate chambers or parts of the envelopes.

Further objects are to provide a unitary electron discharge device in which a novel form of rectifier is employed having a very low voltage drop and a relatively high operating efficiency, and in which the entire electron discharge device has high overall efficiency and to provide an electron discharge device which may be very cheap- 1y constructed, which is reliable in operation, and. which may be used with the utmost facility.

Further objects are to provide a unitary electron discharge device in which the rectifier is so constructed that it may operate either in vaccuo or in air or other gases or vapors, irrespective of their nature or pressure, and in which the rectifier may be mounted in any desired portionof the unitary device, for example, in the base of the tube itself or in the body of the tube.

Further objects are to provide an electron discharge device which requires a very much smaller amount of energy for the heating of the cathodes than when a thermionic type of rectifier is used, and in which the rectifier is of a more rugged and mechanically stronger type than the thermionic rectifier, and is not liable to break in handling and shipping.

Further objects are to provide a novel form of electron discharge device in which the field produced by the heating means for the cathode of the audion does not produce an effect which causes a hum or other disturbance in the device but instead in which the current induced in the cathode of the audion is permitted to escape'to the ground to thus guard against any possibility of disturbance therefrom and also to avoid the use of a separate shield placed between the heator and the cathode, and to thereby produce a device which is more compact than those heretofore produced, although having the characteristics enumerated immediately above. I

Embodiments of the invention are shown i theaccompanying drawing in which:-

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of one form of the device showing a half wave rectifier mounted in the base of the tube;

Figure2 is a corresponding view of a second form of the device having a full wave rectifier mounted in the base of the tube, and using a step-up transformer;

Figure 3 is a third form of the invention in which a half wave rectifier is mounted in the base of the tube and the heating means energized from a step-down transformer;

Figure 4 is a fourth form of the invention showing a half wave rectifier mounted in the evacuated portion of the tube and showing a step-up transformer for supplying the rectifier and showing the filaments directly energized from the alternating current mains.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that a tube has been indicated by the reference character 1 and its base portion by the reference character I. The base of the tube may enclose a storage condenser 2, a rectifier 3, and a by-pass condenser t, and a bypass resistance 5. The evacuated portion of the tube may include a current limiting device consisting of an anode G, a cathode 7, and a heater 8 for the cathode. Within this evacuated portion the audion is also positioned and includes a plate 9, an indirectly heated or equipotential cathode iii, an interposed rid I I, and a heater [2 for the cathode. The tube is provided with four prongs indicated respectively by the reference characters l3, I4, 15, and IS.

The rectifier chosen as an example to be used with this electron discharge device may be of the metal oxide type or electronic type. The metal body may be of any suitable metal preferably of low electric resistivity, and the oxide may be of any suitable type which is firmly adherent to one surface of the metal. Although it is not intended limiting this invention to the particular form of rectifier employed, it may be noted that a copper oxide rectifier can be advantageously employed. This rectifier consists of a copper plate having a firmly adherent oxide coating on one side thereof and a soft metal plate or foil member in contact with the oxide coating. If the voltage at which the unit operates is not sufiiciently high for the work intended, it is obvious that this invention contemplates the use of a plurality of such units forming jointly a rectifier for handling current at the desired voltage. Obviously, blocks of these, units may be formed which may be connected in series or in series parallel, as required. However, for simplicity of iilustration, a single unit rectifier has been shown. It is obvious that the electronic rectifier may be used in any medium desired. It may be placed in the vacuum portion of the device or it may be placed in a separate vessel which may or may not be placed in the base of the apparatus, or it may be used in the open air and connected in the system. It is also apparent that any other form of electronic rectifier may be employed.

Returning to Figure 1, it will be seen that the prong I3 is connected to one of the city mains I! and that the prong I4 is connected through a variable resistance or rheostat It to the other city main l9.

Assume, for instance, that current flows from the city main H to the terminal or contact l3. This current will pass through the rectifier 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow and will pass to the anode 6 of the current limiting device which may be adjusted or designed to work along the saturation portion of its plate voltage-current characteristic, if so desired, to thereby substantially limit the current flowing therethrough to a predetermined value, regardless of variations in voltage applied to its plate. The cathode I of the current limiting device is connected to the anode 9 of the audion. The current therefore passes from the anode 9 to the cathode I!) of the audion and from thence through the prong I6 through the conductor 20, through the output primary 2| back to the other main IS, such main being connected to the prong I4. A storage condenser 2 is connected to the anode 6 of the current limiting device and to one side of the rectifier. The other side of the condenser 2 is connected to the prong I 4.

Further, it will be noted that a by-pass condenser 4 and a by-pass resistance 5 are bridged around the audion, that is to say, one end is connected to the anode 9 of the audion and the other end to the prong M which, in turn, is connected through the coil 2| to the cathode 10 of the audion. It is to be noted that when current flows in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1 that the condenser 2 is charged. In addition to this, the rectified current flows through the current limiting device and audion. When the current reverses, the condenser 2 discharges and supplies the apparatus, that is to say, current flows from the condenser to the anode 6 of the current limit ing device, through such device, through the audion, and returns to the prong I4 which is connected with the other side of the condenser 2.

The storage condenser thus smooths out a portion of the pulsations and acts as a reservoir or storage device for supplying current at other times than when flow of current through the rectifier takes place. In addition to this, the current limiting device acts like an equivalent resistance, impedance, or choke coil, and aids in smoothing out pulsations in the rectified current, and thus an extremely smooth and noiseless operation of of the receiving apparatus is secured without any possibility of hum.

Further, it. is to be noted from Figure 1 that the input secondary 22 has its terminals connected to the grid I I and to the cathode It! by means of contacts or prongs l5 and [6.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the same arrangement of current limiting device and cathode have been employed, but that a full wave rectifier is substituted for the single Wave rectifier previously described and other changes have been made as will be apparent. This full wave rectifier comprises the two elements 23 and 24 which have an output terminal 25, and input terminals 26 and 21. The terminals 26 and 21 are connected to the prongs 28 and 29 and from thence to opposite sides of the secondary 30 of the stepup transformer. The center point of the secondary 30 is connected to the prong 3| which is connected in turn to the storage condenser 32. The other side of the storage condenser is connected to the output terminal 25 of the rectifier and to the anode 6 of the current limiting device.

Further, it is to be noted that the cathode 1 of the current limiting device is connected through a high resistance 33 with the prong 3| and consequently to the opposite side of the condenser 32 from that connected to the anode 6. There is thus a voltage drop produced across the resistance 33 and advantage is taken of this resistance drop to provide the required voltage for the audion so that the adjustment may be made by connecting the anode 9 of the audion to the desired point of the resistance, depending, of course, upon whether the audion is to operate as a detector or amplifier, or to have any other characteristics. This connection is made before the base is closed and thereafter remains permanent. It is to be noted that the cathode I ll of the audion is connected through the output coil 2! tov the contact or prong 3 I, and to the center point of the transformer secondary 39. The resistance 33, it will be noted, is bridged around the audion, anode and cathode, that is to say, it is connected directly to the anode and is connected through the coil 2! to the cathode.

Further, it is tobe noted that one terminal of the input coil 22 is connected to the grid II, through theprong 34 and the other terminal of the coil 22 is connected to the prong 3i.v The cathode I!) of the audion is connected to the prong 35 and from thencethrough the output coil 2 I, to-

the prong 3|.

Further, it is to be noted that one side of the heater I2 is connected to the prong 3E and the other side connected to the heater 8. The heater 8 has its remaining end connected to the prong 29. These prongs 36 and 29 are connected through a rheostat 31 to the terminals of the secondary 38 of a step-down transformer. Obviously, the transformer secondaries 3i) and 38 may be energized from the single primary 39 connected across the supply mains.

Further, upon referring to Figure 2 it will be seen that the input circuit includes a portion of the output circuit of the audion. In other words, the audion grid II is connected to the audion cathode I0 through the input coil 22 and through the output coil 2i. A portion of this circuit is therefore common to both the input circuit and to the output circuit, and a voltage drop occurs in this common portion due to the fact that. this common portion has resistance and that the rectified current passes from the cathode Iii or the audion through this common portion to the condenser 32 or to the secondary 30 of the transformer. This voltage drop is used to produce a negative, rectified potential, which is impressed upon the grid I I and thusmaintains the grid negative with reference to the cathode I6; It will be seen, therefore, that a negative potential is impressed upon the grid from the electronic rectifier which, in turn, is supplied from an alterthrough the storage condenser 45 to the half,

wave rectifier 46, and also to the cathode II! of the audion. The other side of the rectifier 45 is connected to the prong 13 and from thence to the main H.

The action of this apparatus is as follows:

Assuming that current passes upwardly through the prong M, it will be seen that a positive pulse passes from the upper side of the condenser 45 through the rectifier 45, and to the other main IT. This leaves the condenser negatively charged at its upper side, as shown in Figure 3, and positively charged at its lower side. This positive pulse also passes to the anode B of the current limiting device and fromthence to the cathode I. From this point, it passes outwardly by way of the prong 41 through the output coil 2| to the anode 9 of the audion. On the other hand, assuming that the line 59 is negative, the condenser now discharges and current passes to the anode 6 of the current limiting device to the cathode I, through the coil 2i to the anode 9 of the audion. The current returns from the cathode I 0 of the audion to the other side of the storage condenser 45 and thus a smooth operation is secured. It is to be noted also that the anode 9 of the audion and the grid II are connected to prongs 48 and 49, and that the prong 39 is, connected to one side of the input coil 22. The other side of the input coil 22 is connected by means of .a prong 543 to the cathode IQ of the audion.

A by-pass condenser is bridged around the audion, that is to say, one side of the condenser is connected to the cathode of the audion directly and the other side of the condenser is connected through the coil 2! to the anode 9 of the audion. The condensers and the rectifier are located in the base of the tube, as previously described.

A further feature of this form of the invention is that any variable electric charges induced in the equipotential or indirectly heated cathode id of the audion by the action of the heater I2, will be dissipated by the condenser 45 connected to the main IS and thus to the ground.

Referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that the rectifier 52. is placed in the evacuated portion and that the storage condenser53 and bypass condenser 54 are placed in the base I of the tube. This tube is provided with prongs indicated by the reference characters 55 to El. 5% and 56 are connected to opposite sides of the secondary I52 of a step-up transformer. Further, the prong 55 is connected to one side of the storage condenser and to the anode 6 of the current limiting device. The prong 56 is connected to the output terminal of the rectifier 52. The input terminal of the rectifier is connected to the other side of the storage condenser 53.

Assume for instance, that a positive pulse passes upwardly through the prong 55. This will cause a positive pulse to pass from the condenser 53 through the rectifier 52 to the prong 56. This leaves the condenser charged with the upper side, as shown in Figure l, negative. Further, this positive pulse passes from the prong 55 to the anode 6 of the current limiting device, thence to the cathode l and from there to the prong 53. From the prong 58 the current passes through the coil 2% to the anode 9 of the audion. From thence the current passes to the cathode ID of the audion. From the cathode ID of the audion, current passes to the upper or negative side of the condenser 53.

The bypass condenser 54 is bridged around the audion one side being connected directly to the V cathode i9 and the other side connected to the prong 58 throughthe coil 2! to the anode 9 of the audion. The heaters are connected in series and to the prong 57 and to an auxiliary prong 6 I. The prongs 5'! and 6! are connected through a rheostat 63 to the two sides of the mains I! and I9.

It is to be noted also that the cathode iii of the audion is connected to the prong 5! and then to one of the mains so that any current induced in the cathode by the action of the heater i2 is allowed to flow to the ground by way of the mains.

While a vacuum tube of the audion type has been given as a specific example, it is obvious that any other type or form of signal responsive device or electron discharge device adapted to be used as a detector, radio frequency amplifier, or audio frequency amplifier, or the like, may be employed in place of the audion, as illustrated, with- The prongs :A

all)

out departing'frorn the spirit of this invention, provided one or more of the electrodes of the device is supplied from an alternating current source through an electronic rectifier.

It is to be understood distinctly that any combination of the arrangements disclosed may be used Without departing from the spirit of this invention. The electronic rectifier has been shown as positioned either in the base or in the evacuated portion of the vessel. It is obvious that either half or full wave rectifiers, as disclosed, can be used in either part of the device.

In View of the fact that these rectifiers will operate in air, it is apparent that they may be readily used in the base, and a complicated internal structure for the tube is therefore avoided.

Further than this, if it is desired to place them in the evacuated portion their operation is identically the same and no departure from the invention results.

Although certain types of elements constituting smoothing means have been given as examples, it is obvious that one or more of the elements may be replaced by equivalent elements or devices, without departing from the spirit or" this invention.

It will be seen therefore that a novel form of electron discharge device has been disclosed by this invention in which a unitary structure is produced having the rectifier, means for smoothing out pulsations of the current and an audion responsive to either audio or radio frequenc energy.

It is to be noted that the electronic rectifier may be placed in the evacuated portion or may be used in the system as a distinct and separate entity for supplying operating rectified current or voltage to any of the desired electrodes of the electron discharge device.

Further, it will be seen that the apparatus is very simple and of sturdy and reliable construction.

In view of the fact that the voltage drop through the rectifier is small it is apparent that a relatively high voltage may be impressed on the audion as less voltage is consumed in the ,rectifier than when a thermionic rectifier is employed.

Further, it will be seen from the drawing that the city mains or the transformer may either or both constitute the alternating current supply means.

Further, it is to be noted that all parts of the apparatus are energized from commercial alternating current mains.

While the theory of the electronic rectifier is not yet fully understood, it is clear that such electronic rectifier difiers materially from the well known forms of gaseous ionization rectifiers, electrolytic rectifiers, and thermionic rectifiers, and it is therefore intended that this expression electronic rectifier, as it appears in the claims, be interpreted to cover the general type of rectifier as disclosed by this invention, or any equivalent thereof.

It is to be distinctly understood, that the expression audion has been used in the specification and in the claims merely as a general term to designate any electron discharge device having at least an anode, a cathode and a control electrode or member.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting as the invention may be variously embodied and as the scope of such invention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim:

1. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel and a base forming with said vessel a unitary structure, signal responsive means havin an anode and a cathode and an interposed grid, said signal responsive means being mounted within said vessel and a rectifier for supplying current to said anode, said rectifier being located Within said base.

2. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel having a base forming with said vessel a unitary structure, a rectifier mounted within said base, and a current limiting device mounted within the said vessel of said electron discharge device and aiding in limiting the variations of the rectified current supplied from said rectifier.

3. An electron discharge device having an evacuated compartment and a non-evacuated compartment jointly forming a unitary structure, signal responsive means located within said evacuated compartment and a rectifier located within said non-evacuated compartment for supplying'current to said signal responsive means.

4. An electron discharge device having an evacuated compartment and having a base forming with said compartment a unitary structure, signal responsive means located within said evacuated compartment, a rectifier located Within said base for supplying current to said signal responsive means, and a storage condenser connected to said rectifier within said base for smoothing out pulsations of current from said rectifier, said condenser being located within said base.

5. An electron discharge device having a compartment and having a base forming a unitary structure with said compartment, signal responsive means having an anode and a cathode and a controlling element, said signal responsive means being located within said compartment, and an electronic rectifier located within the base for supplying current to said signal responsive means.

6. An electron discharge device having an evacuated compartment and having a second compartment forming a unitary structure with said evacuated compartment, signal responsive means having an anode and a cathode and a controlling element, said signal responsive means being located within said evacuated compartment, an electronic rectifier located within said second compartment f or supplying current to said signal responsive means, and smoothing means located within said second compartment and connected to said rectifier for smoothing out pulsations in the rectified current supplied to said signal responsive means.

7. A unitary electron discharge device having external terminals and comprising a vessel having an evacuated portion and having a base, an audion having an anode, an indirectly heated cathode, a grid and a heater for said cathode, a thermionic current limiting device having a cathode and an anode, a heater for the cathode of said current limiting device, said heaters being connected together and to a pair of external terminals, a full wave electronic rectifier having a pair of input members and a pair of output members, said rectifier being mounted in said base and having its output members connected together and to the anode of said current limiting device, a condenser having one terminal connected to the anode of said current limiting device and having its other terminal connected to an external terminal, a resistance connected between said last mentioned terminal and the cathode of said current limiting device, the anode of said audion being connected to said resistance, one input member of said rectifier being connected to one of the terminals to which said heater is connected, the other input member of said rectifier being connected to an external terminal, the grid and cathode of said audion being connected to external terminals.

8. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel, signal responsive means enclosed within said vessel having a cathode, an anode and a control electrode, connections for conducting alternating current for heating said cathode, an electronic rectifier including a plurality of oxide dry-surface contact rectifying units mounted in series for supplying at least the anode of said signal responsive means, and smoothing means for smoothing out pulsations in the rectified current connected to the anode and to the cathode of said signal responsive means, said electronic rectifier being adapted to be supplied from an alternating current source.

9. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel, signal responsive means enclosed within said vessel and having an indirectly heated cathode, an anode, a control electrode and means for heating said cathode; and electronic rectifying means including a plurality of oxide dry surface contact rectifying units mounted and supplied in series for supplying operating rectified energy to the anode of said signal responsive means from an alternating current source.

10. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel, signal responsive means enclosed within said vessel and having an. indirectly heated cathode, an anode, a control electrode and means for heating said cathode, and an electronic rectifier including a plurality of oxide dry surface contact rectifying units for maintaining said control electrode negative with respect to said cathode from an alternating current source.

11. The combination in an electron discharge device of a vessel and a base, signal responsive means having cathode, anode and grid electrodes and being located within said vessel; and a rectifier located Within said base and including a plurality of oxide dry surface contact rectifying units for supplying operating potential to said signal responsive means from an alternating current source.

12. In combination an electron discharge device comprising two compartments, signal responsive means having cathode, grid and anode electrodes and being located within one of said compartments, and an electronic rectifier located 14. An electron discharge device having an evacuated compartment and a non-evacuated compartment, jointly forming a unitary structure, thermionic signal responsive means located Within said evacuated compartment and including av cold electrode, and a dry contact-type rectifier located within said non-evacuated compartment for supplying operating potential to said cold electrode from a suitable current source.

15. The combination of a vacuum tube having a plurality of cooperating cold electrodes, and a non-evacuated base having a plurality of terminals and being permanently secured to said tube, and a dry contact-type rectifier in said base connected to at least one of said terminals, said rectifier being adapted to supply electricity to at least one of said cooperating cold electrodes of said vacuum tube from a suitable current source.

ARISTOTE MAVROGENIS. 

